Two road deaths over bank holiday weekend as fatalities approach decade high

A total of 40 people were arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant since Thursday.

Two road deaths have been recorded over the bank holiday weekend so far, as fatalities on Irish roads continue to track towards a decade high.

The total number of road deaths in Ireland so far this year stands at 153. According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), there were 182 road deaths in Ireland last year.

On Friday, a man in his 30s was killed in a two-car collision in Carrigaline, Co Cork.

Gardaí have been conducting mandatory intoxicant testing and high-visibility policing checkpoints since Thursday in an effort to reduce road fatalities over the bank holiday weekend.

A total of 40 people have been arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant since Thursday.

More than 1,570 drivers were detected speeding during the same period. In one instance, a car was found travelling at more than double the speed limit, at 112km/h in a 50km/h zone in Naas, Co Kildare. Another vehicle was detected travelling at 156km/h in a 100km/h zone in Ballinafad, Co Sligo.

More than 200 drivers were detected using a mobile phone while driving or not wearing a seatbelt.

“An Garda Síochána is urging road users to be mindful of and take extra care around vulnerable road users, in particular pedestrians and cyclists,” a Garda statement said.

“Cyclists and pedestrians should ensure they are clearly visible in darker conditions and always observe their surroundings.

“Road safety needs to be a priority for everyone.” 

Increase in dangerous driving detections 

So far in 2026, there has been a marked increase in several measures used to track dangerous driving, including a 55% increase in speed detections and a 17% increase in the number of people detected using mobile phones while driving.

There has also been a 9% increase in detections of people driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, while detections for not wearing seatbelts have risen by 3%.

A total of 38 fatalities involved people aged between 16 and 25, 12 more than during the same period last year. Seven of those killed were pedestrians.